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I don't know who was on duty this weekend but I would like to say....keep up the good work. The weekend was relatively quiet and I think that's in part to the LPD. I am quick to point out when you mess up and I think they need to know when they're appreciated. Kudos!

I am certain that everyone, including visitors, have noticed the massive water leak at Frank Lee Homes. Well, since I am a concerned citizen, I called city hall regarding the water leak. The call really wasn’t based on concern; I wanted to know if the office Frank Lee Homes had a water meter. In other words, I wanted to know if they paid a water bill because the leak is leaving big puddle of water. Unfortunately, the leak seems to be underneath the parking area and could lead to a costly repair by MRHA 8; either they will need to remove the pavement or pay a large water bill each month. I can imagine that J.P. Lawrence is rethinking the push to have individual meters on the MRHA properties. Another concern that arose during the calls about the water leak was the possible loss of power to the lift station at Frank Lee Homes. From what I was told, it seems that the integrity of the pump may have been compromised and the water seems a bit cloudy. Also, it seems that Public Works Dir…

There were a lot of serious blog posts this week and I know that there is more to Lumberton than what’s posted in the Lumberton Informer. There are a lot of things I love about this city and at the same time, there are some things I hate. I do not post solutions; I address the problems. For some, that could be problematic. This is not Mayberry and I certainly am not Barney Fife (personally, I think I would be more of a Floyd---just not going to cut anyone’s hair.) I think there are more ties that bind us that issues that separate us. I am one of the first to admit; my views are different. I have a suspicious mind and will continue to discern things that are going on. I am working to give a more fair view of Lumberton. I will let you know, I will call a thing a thing. I am not one that will support a lying, thieving city official just because I like that person. Running a city is a job and if you cannot do that job appropriately; you need to be removed from your post. No one should b…

There was a special called meeting last night. So much took place; I don’t know where to begin. Some of you may be wondering about the picture attached to this post and I promise, I will address that matter. I want to apologize beforehand because this is going to be another long post. The first agenda item was to discuss the Lumberton Fireproof Panthers Volunteer Fired Department Contract and Services for the citizens of Lumberton. It seems that the State rejected the contract that was submitted. I’m not sure what’s going on but I will discuss the department later. It seems there is already declension among the group and I want to speak with former chief, Darren, to see if I can find out what happened. Also, I don’t know if anyone else noticed, but I need to know why the volunteer department need $600 in petty cash and why would they include this provision in their contract? That could possibly be the reason the contract was rejected and the board approve $600 in petty cash (for w…

I was reading a post on facebook about police harassment and how it was a violation of a person’s civil rights and I concur. As the readers of this blog know, I had my run in with the Lumberton Police Department. I truly believe that I was harassed and I feel that I should receive an official apology from the Lumberton Police Department as well as an apology from the City of Lumberton. There will always be claims that police are abusing their power/authority but I am not certain if the recent accusations could be categorized as harassment. Over the past couple of weeks, there has been claims of police abuse (something that is currently under investigation) and harassment. Personally, I think the case for abuse is a strong case, but it still has to be proved in a court of law. So, I am not going to speak on a pending case; that would be something that would need to be addressed either in court or via the investigative process. However, I must say, the allegations that a person was be…

Yesterday I decided to blog about the fact that torn t-shirts and other discarded items were strewn across the entrance of Frank Lee Homes. Well, the post was uploaded at 12:25 p.m and by 12:45p.m I was getting a text that Charles wanted to speak with me because someone told him he needed to read the blog. Which only proves what I had to say in the blog; they are so ready to run and tell something but when mess arises; they’re all part of the “no snitch” team. Charles wanted to meet with me to see if I had any problems I would like for him to address. Firstly, he called a meeting with me because one of his $20 heauxs called him to tell him to read the blog. So, there was no need to ask if I had a problem. The problem I have with the way the property is being maintained was clearly outlined in the blog. The meeting went well, and I do think I was rather harsh on Charles. As some anonymous person wrote, it is the family and friends that are bringing trouble the property. They also po…

In my opinion, Friday the 13th was just another day. I’m not one that’s very superstitious and the day turned out to be a good day because the Lumberton Panthers won their home game. I didn’t attend the game, but I am very supportive of the team. While sitting out on the patio, I noticed the streets were hot and there was a lot of talk about drug deals. There were actually some drug dealers walking by (yes, in Lumberton, there are walking drug dealers) complaining that one of their “clients’ wanted to pay them in change. I just sat there in silence, either amazed at their brazenness or ignorance. I checked my facebook status for game updates because I knew once the game was over, it was going to be quite noisy; especially after a victory. Well, I didn’t want to be a buzz kill because I remember what it was like after a home game. Back in my day, it usually meant hangout time at the game room but today; it’s hang out wherever.
I didn’t hear much of what happened after the game beca…

The other week, I learned the contract for the Lumberton Fire Proof Panthers was denied by the State. I’m not certain what this means or if this will result in a lack of fire protection for the City of Lumberton. However, it seems that we are back to square one. I don’t know what it is about Lumberton and their fire department, but it seems that there’s an issue with sharing the responsibilities in that department; regardless of who’s in the lead truck during the homecoming parade. There seems to be an all or nothing attitude in the department. Also, whenever a new group arrives, the old group is left out in the cold. This happened when Walter’s became chief and it’s seemingly happening again with the new department. I didn’t understand it when Walter’s took over and Chief Grant and his supporters were put out in the cold and I don’t understand it now when Walter’s is allegedly being denied participation by the new department. One would think that experience matters and any departm…

The meeting was opened with a prayer by Alderman Tommy Dukes. There was a full house; it seems the interest in the city meetings has increased. All department heads were in attendance. The city attorney, Lindsey Carter and municipal judge, Leonard Pittman, were also in attendance. Mr. Ben Prestridge of Mississippi Power addressed the board about the new lighting and the study they’re doing to help increase shopping locally. There was a push to encourage citizens to shop locally. I think the push should be for business owners to offer a variety of products at a reasonable price so citizens would shop locally. A citizen made the remark that we have no choice but to shop in Purvis and Hattiesburg. She said if she need milk in the middle of the night, there’s nowhere in Lumberton to get any because all the stores are closed. Mr. Eugene Underwood addressed the board about starting an exercise program for the Citizens of Lumberton. The board is waiting for a waiver to use a classroom a…

It is my hopes that everyone had a safe, enjoyable Labor Day Weekend. As many of you know, there was a situation that took place over the weekend involving one of Lumberton’s finest. I have not looked into this matter to find out about the charges levied against the individual that was allegedly battered while in police custody. At this point it is a waiting game; we will see if the family of the young man is going to pursue this matter or not. I have learned to not include names when posting about these issues because there have been times when people would seek me out to share their experience and then they don’t follow through on their end; leaving me to deal with the repercussions of my writings. I know this is Lumberton and I know there are those that will quickly say, we should support our law enforcement because they have to deal with so much on a day to day basis and I whole heartedly agree. But one wayward officer has the ability to taint an entire department. There are …

As I listen to the details of what happened last night it seems more and more like something written for television. I have always been accused of ruining peoples lives with my blog but there have been a few that would acknowledge that if I had not written about certain things they would have never been discussed in the city of Lumberton. I could do like others and sit back and watch as injustice after and justice take place or I can try to take a stand against injustices; weather is coming from the City Clerk's office from the police department or being administered at the hands of other individuals. There were a few that came to my defense when I was the target of the criminal duo otherwise known as Chief Hobson and City Clerk Stephanie Mullings. They were a dynamic duo using their powers to do wrong instead of good. But this post is not about them I was just trying to give some background of some of the injustices that took place in this city. I have always been one to say the…

The Lumberton Informer is a blog that offers an in depth look at the political climate in the City of Lumberton, MS as well as provide social commentary on issues affecting communities across the nation. My mission is to provide a lively and interactive forum where all members of the community can come together for the greater good of our city, state and country. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author in his private capacity and in no way reflects or represent the views of any elected officials or public servants. We live in a litigious society and as a result, there is this murky intersection between policy and practice, micro and macro, and urban and rural that I hope my blogging can spur discussion on. Because at the end of the day, a frank and open discussion is what’s most needed. I hope to be a part of this with all of you.